Mancini: One regret is I will never coach Totti

Mancini, who has managed the likes of Inter Milan and Manchester City following an illustrious career as a creative playmaker, has admitted in an interview that he would have liked the opportunity to work with Totti.

“Francesco showed a lot of courage to carry on playing," Mancini said, in an interview with Corriere dello Sport. "I'd already been coaching for a few years when I was his age.

“One regret of mine is I never got the chance to coach him myself. I'd have loved that – especially in training matches."

The playing styles of the two men - both creative, expressive attackers capable of using time and space to devastating effect - has led to comparisons between the two, something Mancini acknowledges.

“Totti is a magnificent player and I see a lot of myself in him, but that's no great secret,” he added.